Ezekiel 16:1-34

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Jerusalem’s Rescue and Rebellion

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. As a helpless orphan, Jerusalem was rescued by the Lord.

  2. As an adulterous prostitute, Jerusalem rebelled against the Lord.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t forget to remember!

QUESTIONS

  1. In Ezekiel’s parable here in chapter 16, what was the special relationship that God entered into with the beautiful young lady?

  2. In verse 3, why does Ezekiel refer to the father and mother of the orphan (in the parable) as an Amorite and a Hittite, respectively?

  3. Verses 4-14 describe God’s _________ and ________________ toward Jerusalem, as well as His special plans for the city.

  4. What was particularly wicked about the relationship of the harlot Jerusalem with her lovers as explained in the parable in verse 33?

  5. List the 3 sins of Jerusalem described in verses 15, 16-19 and 20-21.

ANSWERS

  1. The relationship is pictured as one of marriage (v 8), as God said, “so I spread My wing over you . . . and entered into a covenant with you.”

  2. The father and the mother of the orphaned child (the city of Jerusalem), are referred to as an Amorite and a Hittite because these two groups of Canaanites were inhabitants of Jerusalem when the Children of Israel came into the land.

  3. God’s mercy and compassion for the dying baby orphan (the city of Jerusalem) are described in verses 4-14.

  4. Verse 33 explains the particular wickedness of Jerusalem’s rebellion, as she not only was guilty of adulterous relationships with the surrounding heathen nations, but she even “made payments to all her lovers.”

  5. The sin noted in verse 15a was pride; the sin found in verses 16-19 was the use of God-given gifts in the practice of idolatry; and the sin of the city found in verses 20 and 21 was the abominable sin of child sacrifice.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Can the pro-choice attitude which has resulted in the great number of child abortions in our country and around the world today be compared with the pro-choice attitude of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s day which resulted in their practice of child sacrifice (vs 20,21)? Does God consider the sinful situation today an abomination, as He considered the sacrificing of children in Ezekiel’s day?

CHALLENGE

  1. As we have seen this chapter, forgetting what God has done for His people can lead to terrible sin. This can happen today as it did to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. What daily or regular biblical practices can help you to remember all that God has done for you, so that you might not rebel or turn against Him in sin?

KEY VERSES

  • “When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine.” Ezekiel 16:8

  • “But you trusted in your own beauty, played the harlot because of your fame, and poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who would have it.” Ezekiel 16:15



Ezekiel, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsEzekiel 16:1-34